On Tuesday 23rd September, Norwich High School for Girls had the immense privilege of hosting close to 300 female students from across Norfolk for the EmpowerHer event, a day dedicated to empowering and inspiring the next generation of female leaders. The event was organised by Year 13 students Saskia and Izzy, members of the Norwich High Head Girl team and leaders of FemSoc at the school. The atmosphere was electric, with a palpable buzz of excitement, great questions from students and active participation in the event activities including the EmpowerHer wall. The event was a resounding success and we extend a huge thank you to the main sponsor Ørsted for their invaluable support, to the NHSA and to Harriet Green OBE for enabling the refreshments that fuelled the networking session.

We were delighted to welcome visiting schools from Wymondham High, Jane Austen College, North Walsham High School and Acle Academy, whose presence and engaged questions contributed to the vibrant discussions throughout the day.

The programme featured three exceptional speakers who shared their unique insights and experiences.

Laura Bates took to the stage to present her compelling keynote, “The New Age of Sexism.” Drawing on her extensive work with the Everyday Sexism Project, Laura’s talk challenged the audience to consider the subtle and overt forms of sexism that persist in society. She presented powerful statistics on the underrepresentation of women across various fields – from politics and engineering to art – and highlighted the real-world safety measures and societal pressures women face daily. Her presentation served as a powerful call to action, reminding us that this is not a “men vs. women” issue, but a collective one that requires a change in culture and mindset.

Phae Pritchard, QHSE Director at Ørsted, shared her inspiring career journey in the energy sector. She provided an overview of her role as the “conscience” of the Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm project, which aims to be delivered “safer, leaner and greener” than ever before. Phae’s presentation offered a detailed look at this monumental project, which will become the world’s single largest offshore wind farm once completed. She provided students with a clear understanding of the scale and ambition of renewable energy and also shared personal advice, encouraging students to trust their instincts and not be afraid to carve their own paths.

Harriet Green OBE led three impactful sessions focused on personal and professional growth. The first session, “Personal Branding,” defined a brand as a commitment and promise to purposeful influencing. She then followed up with a practical session on “How To Make this Happen,” providing actionable tips for building a strong, authentic brand. Her final session, “Networking & Sharing Lived Experiences,” brought the day to a close with cordial and canapés, allowing students to connect with each other and share their own personal journeys and insights.

“When planning this event, we had one goal in mind, to empower girls to make a difference. We sought for the best speakers who could represent this goal and I believe that Laura Bates, Phae Pritchard and Harriet Green executed this perfectly; there was a perfect balance of the event being informative, insightful and engaging. We really hope that the students, both internal and external, could gain a sense of the empowerment and inspiration we sought to convey. I particularly enjoyed connecting with girls from other schools during the networking session – it is these connections and experiences that are made and shared, which I think are invaluable. We encouraged students to write a reflection on our Empowerment Wall, and the positive feedback that I heard made me feel that all of our hard work and extensive planning was worth it. I am so grateful that Izzy and I had the opportunity to put this event together with the help of Norwich High – it is an achievement that I will never forget.”

“It was incredible to see the vision Saskia and I had come to life. Opportunities like this make my experience at Norwich High both invaluable and unforgettable. I will always value how the school empowers students to take the reins on their passions. Each of our three amazing speakers shared such insightful perspectives, which were then developed, debated and discussed during the networking afterwards. Hearing others’ reflections reminded me of the importance and impact of events like this. But what was my favourite part of the process? Building the event alongside Saskia.”

The event’s success was best captured by the feedback from those who attended. Phae Pritchard from Ørsted said: “It was a privilege to be part of such an inspirational event and I was so impressed with the girls’ organisation of it alongside their informed and insightful questions. It was an honour to be able to join them.”

Harriet Green OBE also praised the event, saying, “Thanks for involving me in yesterday’s great event – really impressive and I think helpful for all.”

Helen continued: “This project has been a true example of what we strive for at Norwich High School for Girls: work that is Made by Girls. Saskia and Izzy within their role on the Head Girl team and leaders of the Feminist Society, shaped every detail, not only to empower their peers here but also to reach beyond our own community and collaborate with girls from local state and independent schools.

The process demanded leadership, organisation and problem-solving, and the girls rose to every challenge with determination. On the day itself, it was wonderful to see them take ownership, host visiting schools and create such a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere.

In my role I am continually inspired by how our students use their passions to shape meaningful initiatives. EmpowerHer is a shining example of what can be achieved when young women are given the space, trust and encouragement to lead – and I am confident that the skills they have honed here will stay with them for years to come.

Alongside the girls’ leadership, my role as a member of staff was to provide the scaffolding and practical support that enabled their vision to come to life. This meant connecting them with our wider school team – from marketing and communications, catering and hospitality, site organisation and IT – so they could learn how to collaborate effectively across different areas of expertise. In past years, such events would have been largely driven and delivered by staff, but it is inspiring to see how our young people are increasingly motivated to step up and take ownership.

We met regularly over a number of months and each meeting became an opportunity for the girls to refine their plans and grow in confidence. They reached out independently to potential sponsors, securing vital funding for transport so that local state schools could attend, as well as support for refreshments on the day. They also liaised directly with presenters, meeting them online in advance to help shape sessions that would resonate with the audience.

Of course, as staff I was there to guide, support and step in when needed, but the majority of the creativity and drive came from the students themselves. From producing high-quality posters and advertising materials to coordinating logistics, they demonstrated skills that will not only serve them in education but also in future careers.

As educators, we need to feel confident in giving young people this responsibility. EmpowerHer is proof that, with the right support and trust, they are more than capable of delivering events of real professionalism, impact and heart.”

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success. The enthusiasm and positive energy in the room were truly remarkable and we can’t wait to see the incredible things everyone goes on to achieve.